BY VINCE JACOB VISAYA
LUNA, Isabela (December 14)—The number of registrants for the 2023 Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections is expected to balloon in the coming weeks.
This is the projection of Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia who is pushing the agency’s “Register Anywhere Project” or RAP.
Garcia was in Isabela on Monday, December 12, to monitor the resumption of voter registration in the province.
He told The Manila Times that pilot registration sites at selected malls on Saturdays and Sundays would also give the chance for qualified voters to register.
“We signed a memorandum of agreement with five malls for the project and we hope to expand this nationwide,” he added.
“A qualified voter can register in any area even if he or she resides elsewhere.”
The Comelec will assess the documents and will notify the registrants if the registration has been successful.
Garcia, meanwhile, noted the low turnout of registrants in the province. However, he believes that it will rise as the last day of registration on Jan. 31, 2023 approaches.
“That is expected during the first day of registration. Just like selling in the market, it would not be brisk sales during the first day but it will peak soonest. Students will arrive home during the vacation and many will come to register,” Garcia said.
“The influx of registrants is expected by the second and third weeks of the month as massive information dissemination has been ongoing.”
The Comelec chairman later attended the Christmas party of election officers at the Isabela Convention Center in Cauayan City.
He was joined by Cagayan Valley election officials, including Atty. Manuel Castillo, Isabela provincial election supervisor; Atty. Ederlino Tabilas, Cagayan Valley election regional director; and Atty. Jerbee Anthony Cortez, assistant election regional director.